University of Michigan School of Dentistry (DDS) Dental School - 2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format
The University of Michigan School of Dentistry, founded in 1875, is consistently ranked among the top five dental schools in the United States. Located in Ann Arbor, the school benefits from the full research and clinical infrastructure of the University of Michigan — a major AAU research university. Michigan Dentistry is renowned for its patient-centred care model, its strong residency placement record, and its comprehensive clinical training volume.
Entry Requirements
What you need to apply to University of Michigan School of Dentistry (DDS).
Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. CASPer required. Michigan residents have a meaningful advantage (public university in-state mission). Dental experience, academic achievement, and community involvement expected.
GPA median
3.70 overall / 3.66 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
5.0%
Class size
109
In-state preference
Strong — primarily in-state
CASPer
Required
Holistic review emphasis
Michigan residency, dental experience, academic record, patient-centred care values.
Notes
GPA medians hedged. DAT Academic Average median approximately 21–23 (hedged). In-state preference significant for public school.
Specialities offered
Orthodontics, Periodontics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Prosthodontics, Pediatric Dentistry
Interview Format
How University of Michigan School of Dentistry (DDS) interviews applicants.
Format
Traditional one-on-one and/or MMI stations
Interview window
October–February
Decision date
Rolling, final decisions March
Post-interview chances
Approximately 30–40% post-interview (estimated).
What makes University of Michigan School of Dentistry (DDS) different
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Michigan Dentistry's Patient-Centred Dental Education model is a nationally recognised curriculum innovation. The school's large clinical volume — one of the highest patient contact hours of any US dental school — produces graduates with exceptional clinical confidence.
Tutor insight
Michigan residents have a notable advantage; out-of-state applicants need a very competitive profile. The patient-centred education model is central to Michigan's identity — show that you understand and value early patient contact and patient relationship-building in your secondary essays.
PrometheusQuestion Bank
405 dentistry questions inside
Interview questions matched to University of Michigan School of Dentistry (DDS)
Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for University of Michigan School of Dentistry (DDS)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.
Hard·MMI · CASPerQ1
Pediatric Dental Ethics: Parental Refusal of Recommended Treatment
A 6-year-old patient presents with severe early childhood caries affecting four primary molars, causing the child visible pain and difficulty eating. You recommend pulpotomies and stainless steel crowns. The parents decline, citing concerns about the safety of dental materials and distrust of "aggressive treatment on baby teeth that will fall out anyway." The child winces during the exam but does not complain verbally. How do you manage this clinical, ethical, and communication challenge, and at what point — if any — does parental refusal of dental treatment for a child become a child welfare concern?
Likely follow-up · The AAPD recommends that painful, infected primary teeth be treated promptly to prevent spread of infection and long-term developmental impacts on permanent successors. How do you communicate this evidence to parents who are skeptical of professional recommendations?
3 expert tips in Prometheus
Medium·MMI · PanelQ2
Cultural Humility in Dental Practice: Working with Non-English-Speaking Patients
Approximately 25 million Americans are considered Limited English Proficient (LEP), and federal law under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act requires healthcare providers receiving federal funding to provide language access services — including interpreter services — at no cost to LEP patients. Despite this, dental practices, including those receiving Medicaid reimbursement, often fail to provide qualified interpreters, relying instead on staff with rudimentary bilingual skill, family members (including children), or no interpretation at all. You are a dental student seeing a new patient whose primary language is Haitian Creole and who brings her 12-year-old daughter to serve as interpreter. How do you handle this encounter?
Likely follow-up · The patient's 12-year-old daughter is interpreting effectively for basic questions but becomes visibly distressed when you try to explain through her that her mother has extensive decay and will need multiple extractions. How do you manage this situation?
Apply to University of Michigan School of Dentistry (DDS) with confidence
We've helped students get into University of Michigan School of Dentistry (DDS) and other US dentistry schools. Get tailored support for each stage of the application.
University of Michigan School of Dentistry (DDS) - Frequently asked questions
Bachelor's degree and DAT required. Applications via ADEA AADSAS. CASPer required. Michigan residents have a meaningful advantage (public university in-state mission). Dental experience, academic achievement, and community involvement expected.
Traditional one-on-one and/or MMI stations
University of Michigan School of Dentistry (DDS) typically interviews in October–February.
Decisions are released Rolling, final decisions March.
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. Michigan Dentistry's Patient-Centred Dental Education model is a nationally recognised curriculum innovation. The school's large clinical volume — one of the highest patient contact hours of any US dental school — produces graduates with exceptional clinical confidence.
